U 13’s win Division 1 Hertsmiddlesex  League

Herts/Middlesex county champions - doesn’t that sound good. Congratulations to the team for a hard fought match to secure the No 1 slot.  We remained undefeated in league matches  this season.

For the first time this season we started the match from the whistle and the aggressive early domination set a solid platform. Unfortunately we went off the boil with 15minutes to go the first half saw us down 11-10 thanks to tries from Chris Wells & Zac Cranston. The second half  with our heads still in the changing room we spent the first 10 minutes chasing Saracens and giving the spectators and coaches a very nervous time.

With a dominant charge the wheels of fortune changed and from a phase of attacking play we found ourselves 5 metre from the try line. The well rehearsed water-boy move was employed from the line out and saw a well executed try thanks to Chris Wells & Timothy Hitchcock. From this point Ealing started enjoying the game with smiles on faces the attack grew with our fourth bonus point try coming from a fantastic high ball catch and Tom Hodder broke over. Again Fred Tucker & Brendon Cleary were left with the impossible kicks but like always stepped up and gave it there best shot.

The great thing about the game is that we still have things to improve on, the disciple was much improved with only some out spoken words spoiling the atmosphere, the players all encouraged each other and it showed in the result. Line out and scrumageing was strong with a couple of good strikes against the head, in all the forwards had a great day. The backs gelled on the field with some great set moves unfortunately Louis Walker’s break through the centre didn’t quite work but what a great spectacle.

We still have more to do; we have the Lexus National Championship to contest at Easter travelling with a squad of 20 to Old Albanians grounds. We have a great opportunity but this will not come without serious attitude and hard work.

I would like to thank my fellow coaches  Charlie Avis, Andy Cleary, Bill Grist, Charlie Day, David Holbrook for their time and commitment. At the start of the season with the horrible injury to Peter Vangelatos we were left in a position of who was going to take on the A Squad, thankfully Charlie Avis agreed to work with me on this challenge, Andy stepped in and added his vast experience along with Bill and Charlie Day. The success of the 08-09 league season is owed not only to the players but these men that give up valuable time to come and install discipline and skill to their game.

Finally behind every good team of men is a woman. I have had first hand experience this year of being a managers husband, Jan has completely fulfilled  Mike Cudmore’s  job description of a manager (look after the team , issues and trouble and allow the coaches to coach) I am speaking for all the coaches thank you.

Rodger  Hitchcock

Scores:

Ealing  15      Old Albanians 0

Ealing 32       Bishop Stortford 5

Ealing  5        Harpenden 5

Ealing 15        Welwyn 7

Ealing 34        Cheshunt 5

Ealing 22        Tring 0

Ealing 20        Saracens 11